I have to say I do agree with Marie that personality plays a huge role!!  My dog is not for showing and he is neutered so no breeding in his future anyways.  I would say he is true GSP disposition with his active, pleasing drive and clown personality.  I have just found it so interesting to read about what makes a "show" dog.  I think my pup is beautiful (as most feel about their own dogs, but I just never would have any clue if someone judging him would think he was as great by breed standards, because I am going off of his personality and looks but no real exact measurements weight and coloring isues... this is my first gsp so I am not sure of any of the details kow what makes one more perfect than another as far as qualifictions ect.  I actually chose Jackson because I liked his markings and darker liver color....not knowing if darker liver was preferred or actually looked down upon...  It was also interesting to learn about the eyes and prefered coloring there.

Thanks all for you imput!  You have helped educate me.  I do find that personality and disposition plays such a crutial role and it seems sad to me that showing dogs does not really demonstrate that side of the dog much.   SO I would be happy with my pooch no matter what...but I do understand how this all relates to keeping the breed standard and keeping GSPs looking and acting like they should in the future

The conformation ring does have some testing as to a dogs disposition.  If a dog has not been well socialized with people and other dogs it will have a hard time relaxing in a building full of people and other dogs on leashes in close quarters.  If you have never been to a dog show I can assure you that an unstable shorthair would not enjoy the experience.  The judges also judge on how approachable a dog is.  Some judges don't like a dog that backs away from them or doesn't allow a decent exam because it is so anxious about what is happening.  Conformation does a lot of good for the shorthair, no it isn't perfect, but has its usefulness in improving the breed IMHO.

Well since no one else has brought it up I'm going to throw the UKC standard into the ring too.The standard is a little different than AKC, but then, UKC is different from AKC. There's more focus on performance in UKC than there seems to be in AKC.

Here are some excerpts:

Characteristics

The key word to describe the German Shorthaired Pointer is versatility. German Shorthaired Pointers have been known to hunt upland game and waterfowl, track deer and bear, and even tree raccoons. They are willing, enthusiastic workers who thrive in the most rugged country and weather. They require little training to point or to back any other dog they see pointing. They retrieve equally well on land and water and can locate dead or wounded game in the heaviest cover. As a companion, the German Shorthaired Pointer is friendly, intelligent, and eager to please.

Tail

The tail is set high and is docked to about 40% of its natural length. The tail is thick and muscular at the base and tapers toward the end. When the dog is relaxed, the tail hangs down naturally. When the dog is moving or alert, the tail is carried level with the back or only slightly above level, but no higher than 45 degrees above the horizontal. When quartering, the tail should wag laterally. The tail should never curve over the back or be carried between the legs.

Note: UKC acknowledges that the practice of tail-docking is forbidden in some countries, and therefore feels that no dog shall be penalized for a full tail (unless specifically addressed and forbidden in the breed standard for that breed). A natural tail is acceptable. It should reach to the hocks, and should be carried straight or slightly saber-like.

Serious Fault: Tail curved over the back.
Color

The coat may be of solid liver or any combination of liver and white, including liver and white ticked, liver spotted and white ticked, or liver roan.

The coat may be of solid black or any combination of black and white, including black and white ticked, black spotted and white ticked, or black roan.

Tan markings are permissible.
Gait

When trotting, the gait is effortless, smooth, powerful and well coordinated, showing good but not exaggerated reach in front and drive behind. The backline remains level with only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward center line of balance. It is recommended that dogs be shown on a loose lead and moved at a moderate speed to reflect true gait. Poor movement should be penalized to the degree to which it reduces the German Shorthaired Pointer’s ability to perform the tasks it was bred to do.